LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday announced a large-scale national crackdown on social media misinformation, warning that the spread of fake content had reached an alarming point and now demanded firm state action.
Naqvi said nearly “90% of online news is false”, stressing that the government would no longer allow people to declare “a living person dead or a dead person alive” or level baseless allegations without evidence. He confirmed that the Information Ministry and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) would begin action “on a massive scale”.
The minister said freedom of expression did not give anyone the right to fabricate stories or manipulate facts online. He urged people to report responsibly and reminded that mainstream journalists worked under editorial checks a system that social media lacked. A new regulatory framework for online content, he added, was already in progress.
Naqvi also warned individuals abroad allegedly involved in smear campaigns against state institutions. “Those sitting outside should know you will also be answerable,” he cautioned, adding that political propaganda being run from India would soon be exposed.
KP urged to align with federal Afghan repatriation policy
Turning to the repatriation of illegal Afghan migrants, Naqvi said the process was moving smoothly in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, but was being resisted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). He accused KP authorities of continuing Afghan camps that had been de-notified by the federal government.
He urged KP to “prioritise the country over politics”, saying national security could not be handled through separate provincial policies.
Naqvi warned that any Afghan who returned after repatriation would be arrested, adding that the federal government was considering legal measures to ensure KP’s compliance.
Airport checks and passport credibility
Responding to reports about passengers being offloaded, Naqvi clarified that only 50–70 travellers were stopped daily because of incomplete documents. He directed FIA to publicly release data to counter “agent mafia driven misinformation”.
He said strict checks were necessary to improve Pakistan’s global passport ranking.
CDF appointment delay clarified
Addressing speculation around the delay in notifying the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Naqvi said new constitutional structures could not be created instantly. The post, formed under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, replaces the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, currently COAS, is set to assume the new role, with his tenure restarting for five years once the notification is issued.
He said the government was finalising how responsibilities would be shared between the COAS and CDF, including joint force integration and restructuring.
Naqvi concluded that the state would not allow fake news to create panic or undermine national security, adding, “Public confidence and national stability cannot be compromised.”
